Chapter 899 Chapter 899
Foster had dressed so fast he wasn’t sure if he had put his shirt on the right way out. He stood by the tree and watched for Ena to step out of the bush ten feet away. When she did, she was smiling so big his breath whooshed out. He’d been worried that the confrontation had freaked her out.
“Was that Pascal or Reggie? They’re quite the size.”
“I’m not sure.” He hadn’t even noticed how big anyone was, other than the teeth in the wolf’s mouths.
“That definitely stirred up an appetite.” She laughed. “I needed that run.”
Foster looked into the bush. “Think those wolves decided to relocate?”
She snorted. “Did you see the look on the one face when Jesse’s woman jumped between us?”
He grinned. “That, what the hell is that look? Yeah, that was cool.” When she reached out and took his hand and started walking. Foster felt like he was the luckiest male alive. He hadn’t expected it, but it did calm his coyote down, who wanted to go back out there and find those wolves and any threat to their mate. “Good thing the others were out for a run.”
“Yes. It stalled those bullies until the leopards arrived.” She smiled at him. “Jesse sounded scary.”
Foster snorted. “His cat is the opposite of him.” He shrugged. “We grew up together, so I can vouch that Jesse is the nice one.”
A snapping branch made him pivot and push her behind him. Savan emerged from the trees and smiled.
“Sorry, I thought you knew we were over there.”
Zach and Pascal came out of the trees. Foster thought he was standing up straighter.
He shook his head. “That was a first for me.” He blew out a breath. “Does that happen often?”
Ena shook her head. “During the spring, we get visitors, but it’s pretty quiet the rest of the year.”
Zach looked at Savan. “Good call.”
Savan shrugged. “I know Ena runs in the mornings, so a quick patrol seemed like something that should be done to protect our alpha.”
Foster nodded and then looked to see Ena’s shocked expression.
“You did what?”
Savan shrugged and started walking. “Get used to it. You’re the reason we’re going to make it.”
Zach stood there grinning like he had the best news ever. “Guess there’s more news soon, huh?”
Foster looked at Ena and then back to him. He motioned to their joined hands.
“Mates?” Pascal whistled. “I’m going to like it here.” He turned and followed the path that Savan had taken.
Ena huffed out a breath. “I haven’t told anyone, Zach, and we—” She looked at him. “It’s complicated. Foster has to go help his team, and I have to make sure you guys don’t do anything to screw up us being part of the Alliance.”
Zach snorted. “Good luck on that.” He gave Foster an amused look. “To you too, leaving to go help your team.” He walked away.
“What does he mean?”
Foster was just surprised that she continued to hold his hand through that. “Mated couples don’t usually separate for long.”
“Oh.” She started walking slowly. “You’re not gone long, right? A few days here and there.”
“Sometimes. It depends on where I’m going.” He shook his head. “I was sent to look for clans way up at the top of the map. It was the longest, most boring trip of my life.”
“I’d be happy to see somewhere new. I’ve only ever been around here.”
He hadn’t thought of that. “Well, once things are settled a bit here, you could come with me.” His coyote was going nuts inside him. The talk of leaving her wasn’t making him happy at all.
“I meant what I told the clan. I want to help free our kind.” She stopped suddenly. “Aunt Heidi gave Jesse a list of our missing clan. Do you think he knows yet if any of them have been found?”
“I’m not sure. It depends on the age they were when they were taken. If they knew their full name or the clan name, it helps. There are a lot that don’t know that.”
“What happens to them?” She started walking again. As they reached the back of the house, she let go of his hand.
“There’s a camp; it’s called. Arcadia. Many live there, and others are with new clans…”
“But they’re looked after? Food, shelter?”
He nodded. “Yes, they are looked after.”
“Good. After what they’ve gone through, they deserve to relax for the rest of their lives.”
He couldn’t argue with that. He paused. “Do you smell bacon?”
Ena laughed. “I was just going to say I smelled bacon. I guess my aunt is testing out all her new kitchenware, or Orson’s; hers is still packed in boxes until she’s back in her house.” She stopped and stood in front of him, looking at him. “I’m glad I met you, Foster, even if you lied to me and told me you were a student.”
He smiled. “I didn’t lie. I’m a student of life.”
She snorted. “Sure, you are.”
“I am. I learn new shit every day.”
She gave him a playful smile. “What have you learned so far today?”
He gave her a serious look. “That wild wolves have sharp-looking teeth and that my mate has balls for squaring off against three of them.”
She laughed. “I thought I was backing you up.”
He shook his head. “Nope. I am not brave. I am not a hero.”
Her expression sobered. “But you are. A hero, you just don’t realize it.” She leaned closer and stretched up and kissed him on the mouth and then patted his chest. “I’m going to grab us some big plates of food. We can hide in your van and eat without everyone gawking at us.” She turned on her heel and walked away.
Foster watched her and then blew out a breath. He was starting to understand the part about keeping up with her.
“Heard you had an eventful run.”
He jumped and then turned around to see Orson standing there. “Ah, yeah. It was a little tense until Jesse and Minn showed up.”
“Savan told me. I have no doubt the five of you would have handled things.” He nodded. “Pascal has some size to him, and I suspect he has a serious survival instinct.”
Foster hadn’t thought of that. “Yeah, I guess he does. If I were forced to live in a cage, I would have a lot of pent-up anger to vent.”
Orson smiled and then nodded. “So, you’re my girl’s mate.”
Foster’s heart thudded in his chest. “Yes.”
“How long have you known?”
Foster looked at the house, wondering how long Ena would be. “When I chased after her to stop her from getting shot at Waylon’s.”
“That’s a hell of a time to find out.”
Foster snorted. “Yeah, it was a surprise for both of us.”
Orson nodded and looked at his house. “Have you reached an agreement? I don’t see any marks on her neck yet.”
“Agreement?”
Orson looked at him again. “You’re going to be leaving, aren’t you?”
Foster felt like a huge, hot spotlight was shining on him. “I will when I’m needed, yeah.”
“Is she going with you?”
“She wants to go help the Alliance, but she doesn’t want to run away right after being elected as Alpha.”
Orson made a noise that Foster wasn’t sure what it meant. “She’s got a strong sense of responsibility until her curiosity takes over, and then you need to be six steps ahead of her.”
Foster recalled the gunshot yesterday. “I’m learning that.”
Orson chortled. “Good thing you’re young and in good shape.”
What was he supposed to say to that?
“Well, I can’t interfere in mate business, but I will be some kind of pissed off if you leave without the both of you having an understanding.”
Foster nodded. “We’re working it out.”
“Mmm. I couldn’t tell her what to do when she was a little girl, so I know I can’t now, but you make sure to keep her safe.”
“Always.” He meant it. Running in front of guns, jumping creeks, and talking back to hungry wolves were all new for him.
“Welcome to the family, Foster. Glad to have you.” Orson looked at the house again. ‘“I’m going to get me some of that food. Tomorrow, I’m going for a run and need to stockpile some energy to do it.” He walked away.
Foster watched him go. He wasn’t a hundred percent certain, but he thought he may have just been warned.
“Foster, come grab the coffee.” Ena stood at the door.
“Coming.” He jogged toward her. What did Orson mean when he said it was a good thing he was young and in good shape?